Back in 1976, when the Museum of London first opened its doors, the city had lost its 60s swing, and population was on the slide. After a spate of bestsellers about the capital's history, and with the Olympics in prospect, the overhauled modern galleries, which deal with London life since the great fire, are launched in altogether more auspicious circumstances. The curation has risen to them, marrying chronological logic to push-buttons for youngsters and enough disturbing curiosities to hold their attention – cue the unfortunate Georgian cat found desiccated in one of the capital's walls. In the first 10 days of opening, children have been rubbing shoulders with Chelsea pensioners as all comers discover just what a tale their city has to tell. The atmospheric Victorian shopping square remains, but is now complemented by an interactive version of Charles Booth's social class maps, so Londoners can see whether their own street would render them semi-criminal in late-Victorian eyes. Meanwhile a faded poster demanding a living wage connects the past with the present, and reaffirms the museum's focus on everyday people. Older galleries, which start from the year dot, still have a view over London Wall which inspires interest in Roman and medieval times. There is still no national exhibition on British history to match Berlin's German Historical Museum, but at least its capital now boasts a comparable mix of fabulous artefacts and first-class narrative. And unlike Berlin's, it can all be enjoyed within a single day.